After He left Cana, Jesus and His disciples joined His mother and brothers in a large group that was traveling through Capernaum to Jerusalem for Passover. This important jewish festival drew great crowds every year.

Because He had not publicly announced His mission as the Messiah, Jesus mingled unnoticed with the crowd. As they walked, there were frequent discussions of the promised Messiah. Since John the Baptist had begun announcing the Messiah’s arrival there was great hope that their nation would soon be free from its Roman rulers. Jesus knew they were destined to be disappointed. Their hope was based on a misunderstanding of the Scriptures. He explained the prophecies to those who would listen and encouraged a deeper study of God’s word.